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The driver next took me to Five Rathas, a site perhaps a mile from the main park. ‘Ratha’ means ‘chariot’and these structures, though massive, stationary, and carved from boulders, are shaped like mobile chariots and are positioned in a line as if part of a parade. There are gorgeous details in the rathas, and monolithic animals standing guard.

Next we went back towards the main park, I believe at the western end. There was an entrance here and a path to a staircase leading to a hilltop shrine. From there, I could see the lighthouse built in the late 1800’s, and the sea. The shrine itself seemed to rise from the rock.

On the way up, there is Mahishasuramardhini Cave temple, another unbelievable structure carved from rock, with amazing carvings inside. My guidebook says that the scenes depict a battle with and defeat of buffalo-headed demon Mahishasura. You can see the demon holding a club-type weapon in the carving below.

Here is the view with the lighthouse. I didn’t enter because it isn’t part of the ruins and I wasn’t interested, but one can go inside.

Beautiful!!! After this, we went to the town at the area with shops. Many sold rock carvings, from ones you could hold on your hand to some as tall as me. From there, the driver took me to a more modern temple, like many I’d seen in Chennai and elsewhere in India. I’m not sure why he took me there, but it was lovely. It is called Shri Vishnu Temple and it dates from the 14th century. I enjoyed walking around and noticing parallels with the more ancient structures.

Then we headed back to Chennai, me and my hired car. I enjoyed the air conditioning and watching, past the talismans on the dash, the chaos blooming around me.

That’s a giant load of hay in front of us, below:

Back in Chennai, we went out to dinner at this great restaurant in the mall near MB’s apartment. We did a photo shoot out front by the lions, of course.

We ordered way too much food and enjoyed our time together until I had to get myself to the airport. And so this trip came to an end. Can’t wait for the next time, MB!! That goes for you, too, India!! I’ll close with a photo of this great plaque at MB’s apartment. It has the usual rules for apartment living, but the last line instructs “Live a happy life.” Yes!